Bradley said:
The problem is that I get an error that Windows Explorer has closed.
I then get prompted to send an error report (which I normally do) and
then windows
explorer restarts. All of my other programs continue to run as normal
but the explorer program restarts, my start bar and task bar are
restarted and any explorer windows that are open are closed.
I have had this problem for quite a long time. I don't remember when
it started.
I currently have F-Secure Anti-Virus installed.
It's always hard to diagnose problems that have been around for a long
time and are random. In your subject line you say that Explorer "dies
regularly" but in the body of your first post, you say this happens
"every so often". Can you identify what is running/you are doing when
this happens?
Here are some general suggestions to help narrow down the focus. As
always, in troubleshooting you must only make one change at a time and
test after each change before going onto the next thing.
A. First, make sure the computer is malware-free.
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
B. When it next happens, see if you can figure out if something you were
doing was different. Check Task Manager to see what is running. See if
this happens only when you do [some action].
C. Try clean-boot troubleshooting to see if something you are running is
causing the issue:
Clean boot in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560
D. Update the drivers for your hardware. Never get drivers from Windows
Update. Get them from:
1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM
computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).
Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the
drivers.
To find out what hardware is in your computer:
1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific
model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers
anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor. The older Aida32 is good for this, too.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.aumha.org/free.htm - Aida32 (hosted on Jim Eshelman's site)
E. Possibly this is caused by a hardware problem such as overheating or
a failing video card or memory module. Here are some general hardware
troubleshooting steps:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Troubleshooting
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User